Handcovering

ABSTRACT

Handcovering, i.e. glove ( 72 ) or mitten, comprising an outer shell ( 50 ) and an inner glove insert ( 52 ) adhered to the shell ( 50 ). The glove insert ( 52 ) comprises a lining fabric laminated to a functional layer ( 42 ) that is water vapor permeable and waterproof. The inner glove insert ( 52 ) is substantially free of folds or bunching of the insert ( 52 ) inside the glove ( 72 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to handcovering or handwear, such asgloves or mittens, comprising an outer protective layer and a waterproofinner insert layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Attempts have been made to waterproof handcoverings, for glovesmade of leather or fabric which are not waterproof. Gloves can bewaterproofed by providing a waterproof lining or insert inside the outershell layer of the glove. Frequently, for added comfort, the waterprooflining is usually also permeable to water vapor, i.e., it is breathable.This waterproof insert is sometimes referred to as a functional layer ormaterial. It can be made a) of functional layer alone or b) made of atwo-layer laminate comprised of a functional layer material and a clothlining or textile backing or c) made of a three-layer material which ismade of the functional layer material, the inner textile layer and atextile backing. For a comfortable feeling on the skin either there is astitched together cloth lining inside the insert, or the inner textilelayer of the laminate is made of lining material. For easy and costefficient production, these inserts usually consist of two counterequal, flat pieces of the functional layer or laminate which are sealedalong the edge. The pattern has the shape of a two dimensional oversizedhand.

[0003] Gloves comprising a shell and an insert that contains afunctional layer are known. The said two dimensional pattern of theinsert can not be brought into the three-dimensional shape of the gloveshell without being folded somehow. In insulated gloves this is a minorproblem since the additional insulation between the functional insertand the in this case thick cloth lining prevents the wearer fromperceiving the folds.

[0004] In thin, non-insulated gloves which are tailored close to theshape of the hand the folds of the insert lead to substantialdisadvantages. They can disturbingly be perceived by the wearer. Thefolds are not attached to each other thus giving the hand some slipwithin the glove which may be dangerous for the wearer in activitiesneeding a good grip. Furthermore, they reduce the tactility by the addedthickness what is crucial for activities needing a fine sensation.Furthermore, they increase the resistance of the glove to heat andmoisture transfer, which is not wanted in gloves worn in warmer ambientconditions. Examples for such gloves are gloves for working, formotorcycling, and for golf.

[0005] A lot of attempts have been made to overcome these deficiencies.An example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,818 in which a three-dimensionalshaped lining inside and a two dimensional, folded up insert made out ofa laminate are joined in a “slip-proof” fashion with an adhesive thusleading to a three-dimensional inner glove. The folds of the twodimensional insert between the cloth lining and the shell are toleratedby covering them behind a three-dimensional shaped sewn lining. However,the system does not solve the problem of bulkiness and of highresistances for heat and moisture transfer. This is due to the manylayers which are created by the still existing insert folds.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,716 is another patent that describes atwo-layered material, namely a puckered functional or barrier layeradhered to a second extendable fabric layer, which two-layered materialis then secured to an outer extendable fabric layer with an adhesive. InU.S. Pat. No. 5,255,716, the fabric layer is stretchable and is adheredin a manner that results in bunching up of the functional layer. Thisresults in unnecessary thickness of the compounded layers. Hence, theresistance to heat and moisture transfere is not minimized. The addedinsulation value has even been mentioned by U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,716 asbenefit which is only true when insulation is a wished property of theglove (page 13 line 28ff). Also, the elasticity of the wrinkles combinedwith the thickness of the wrinkled layer reduces the tactilityperceivably.

[0007] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,716 claims non elastic gloveshells made e.g. from leather. However, with the described process it isnot possible to make such a glove since the shell has to be drawn over aflat two dimensional former, which is formed in a way that requiresextreme elasticity of the shell since the opening of the glove needs tostretched to fit over the wider fingerpart (page 47 line 3 ff). This isan inherent problem of the procedure and can not be solved by a changeof the flat two dimensional former since the added circumferences of thefingers are larger than the circumference of the hand in the palm areaand, therefore, the former has always to be wider at the fingers than atthe palm area to completely stretch the whole glove, which is in thedescribed procedure necessary to be able to adhere the glove over thecomplete surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This invention overcomes the deficiencies described in the priorart, especially with respect to minimizing the thickness of the completeassembled glove in order to optimize tactility, grip, breathability,heat transfer, and softness by providing in a broad aspect, ahandcovering comprising: an outer material part or outer shell that issubstantially non-elastic, e.g. made from such materials as leather orwoven fabrics, and an inner part or inner glove insert adhered to theshell. The inner glove insert comprises a functional layer that is watervapor permeable and waterproof, the inner glove insert beingsubstantially free of folds in the whole glove and having substantiallyno bunching of the functional layer, preferably no bunching at all.

[0009] The invention provides a handcovering with an outer material partand with an inner part, wherein the inner part is composed of astretchable laminate which comprises a waterproof functional layerpermeable to water vapor and a textile layer and which comprises anouter face; the outer material part has a three-dimensional shapecorresponding to a hand and a correspondingly three-dimensional innerface; the inner part is stretched into the three-dimensional inner faceof the outer material part in such a way that essentially the entireouter face of the inner part rests against the inner face of the outermaterial part; essentially the entire outer face of the inner part isbonded essentially to the entire inner face of the outer material part;and the outer material part is composed of an essentially inelasticouter material which is capable of absorbing restoring forces of thelaminate which are caused by the stretching of the inner part.

[0010] The invention also provides a method for producing handcoveringwith an outer material part and with an inner part, having the followingmethod steps: production of the outer material part having athree-dimensional shape corresponding to a hand and with acorrespondingly three-dimensional inner face; production of the innerpart having a two-dimensional stretchable laminate which has awaterproof functional layer permeable to water vapor and a textile plyand which possesses an outer face; stretching of the inner part into thethree-dimensional inner face of the outer material part in such a waythat essentially the entire outer face of the inner part comes to restagainst the inner face of the outer material part; and bonding ofessentially the entire outer face of the inner part to essentially theentire inner face of the outer material part; wherein the outer materialpart is composed of an essentially inelastic outer material which iscapable of absorbing restoring forces of the laminate which are causedby the stretching of the inner part.

[0011] The handcovering is prepared by providing a laminate of thefunctional layer, e.g., porous PTFE film, that has preferably beentreated on one surface with a polyurethane that is nonporous but whichallows passage through it of water molecules, and a cloth lininglaminated on the film. The laminate can optionally have a protectivetextile backing. The laminate is stretchable to a greater size. Thecloth lining and the protective backing can be any textile or foam, e.g.made of polyurethane or polyester. Preferably, the cloth lining and theprotective textile backing will comprise a knit. The cloth lining andthe protective textile backing may be made of a polyethyleneterephthalate, polyamide, viscose, cotton or blends of one or more ofthese materials.

[0012] To form the insert, two such laminates are superimposed and thensealed at an outline that is in the shape of a mitten or glove and thencut around the periphery to form a hand covering insert. The shape canbe undersized in certain hand areas.

[0013] An adhesive is then applied to each outer surface of the insert.The adhesive can be applied in dot fashion, as a web or continuously.The adhesive can alternatively be applied on the laminate before theinsert is sealed.

[0014] The insert is then placed inside an outer shell and heat isapplied to cause the adhesive to adhere the insert to the inside of theshell by the means of a heated thumb form and a heated four finger handform. It is usually preferred to heat the thumb portions first in orderto secure the insert and the shell in the right position to one anotherand to prevent slippage as the procedure is carried out. Due to thethree-dimensional shape of the shell, the insert is stretched in someareas to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the shell, and thetwo dimensional insert is reshaped into the three-dimensional shape ofthe shell substantially without folds being formed, and then the insertis adhered in this shape to the glove shell. Once initial adherence isobtained on the whole inner surface, air can be supplied to the interiorto a) to press the insert firmly against the shell, b) cool the adhesiveand c) to remove the glove from the heated handform without muchfriction.

[0015] In embodiments of the invention, the handwear or handcovering isin the form of a glove or a mitten.

[0016] In embodiments of the invention, the handwear or handcovering isin the form of an insulated glove or mitten or in the form of a thin,non-insulated glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 shows how each side of the insert is formed from a patternon the laminate and sealed and cut.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows that the two superimposed patterns are sealed aroundtheir periphery.

[0019]FIG. 3 depicts the placement of the insert just prior to insertioninto the shell. The insert is depicted with dots of adhesive on itssurface.

[0020]FIG. 4 depicts a cutaway view of a handcovering to expose theshell and insert.

[0021]FIG. 5 depicts a modification of FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 6 depicts the shell and the insert before pulling the thumbpart thereof over a thumb form.

[0023]FIG. 7 depicts the shell and the insert before pulling the fingerpart thereof over a four finger hand form.

[0024]FIG. 8 depicts a finished glove with a portion thereof cut away.

[0025]FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of a finger of the finished glovealong section line IX-IX in FIG. 8.

[0026]FIG. 10 depicts in magnified scale the layered structure inencirceled region X in FIG. 9.

[0027]FIG. 11 depicts strain characteristics in relation to stress of asample piece of an insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] As described above, the outer material shell of the handwear andthe insert containing the functional layer are directly adhered in a waythat reshapes the two dimensional insert by stretching into thethree-dimensional form of the shell and thus avoiding folds andbunching. This provides a handcovering which overcomes the deficienciesin the prior art described further above.

[0029] The described direct adherence of the shell and the outer side ofthe functional layer insert to form a glove or mitten prevents thepresence of an air layer which can act as a water vapor barrier betweenthe shell and the functional layer insert. Furthermore the minimizationof the number of layers ensures a minimum of insulation and a maximum ofdexterity. For that and for better stretchability or elongation thefunctional layer may be directly adhered to the shell material without aprotective textile backing. A compounded layer of the whole gloveaccording to the invention, comprising of the regular shell componentlayer, the adhesive, and the functional insert laminate layer, has awater vapor transmission resistance Ret of less than 35 (m²*Pa)/W oreven, in the case of a preferred embodiment, of less than 15 (m²*Pa)/W,depending on the choice of material with regard to outer material andlining material.

[0030] The adhering of the shell to the insert can be effected eitherwith adhesive which has been applied in continuous form, i.e., over thewhole area, or with adhesive which has been applied discontinuously,i.e. with gaps of >50% of the surface area. In this connection, theadhesive can be applied most conveniently to the outer surfaces of theinsert. Water-vapor-permeable adhesive is used in the case of acontinuous adhesive layer being applied. For the use of a discontinuousadhesive layer, for example applied in powder, dot, grid or web form, itis possible to use an adhesive that is not water-vapor-permeable. Watervapor permeability is maintained through the area of the insert notcovered by the adhesive.

[0031] The shell for the glove or mitten of the invention can suitablybe, for example, leather or textile sheet materials. Textile sheetmaterials can be, for example, wovens, knits, nonwovens or felt. Thesetextile sheet materials can be formed from natural fiber, for examplecotton or viscose, or from synthetic fiber such as polyester,polyamides, polypropylene or polyolefins, or of blends of at least twoof these materials. Such outer materials are normally water permeableand water vapor permeable. To render them water resistant they can behydrophobicized by treating the shell with a water-repellent material insuch a way that the pores of the outer material remain open for watervapor transport.

[0032] The adhesive is preferably heat activated and may be selectedfrom a copolyamide, copolyester, polyester polyurethane, polyolefine,polyamide or a polyurethane adhesive, for example such as a reactivepolyurethane adhesive, and also mixtures of polyester urethane andpolyurethane. The adhesive may have a melting point in the range of 50to 130° C.

[0033] The functional material can be any waterproof, breathablematerial such as porous polyethylene, polyurethane and the like.Preferably it will be a laminate of a porous polytetrafluoroethylenelayer adhered to a cloth lining which feels comfortable on the skin. Theporous polytetrafluoroethylene is preferably expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566and preferably will have a coating of polyurethane that is nonporous butwhich transports water vapor molecules by molecular transportation. Sucha combination is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,041. This combinationis adhered to an appropriate textile layer which serves to protect theporous polytetrafluoroethylene layer.

[0034] The lamination of the insert into the shell is done in a way thatprevents wrinkling and bunching of the functional layer. The resultinglaminate must have a stretchability in at least one direction of atleast 30% and preferably 40% in order to allow stretching of thelaminate into a three-dimensional shape corresponding the shape of ahand. Preferably the stretchability is in both directions and is morethan 40%. The laminate must maintain its waterproofness and water vaporpermeability in the stretched condition. To keep the forces fordeformation during the stretching and adhering of the insert into theshell low a flat stress strain curve of the laminate (<30 N/5 cm (i.e.related to a sample having a width of 5 cm) for 30% elongation in atleast one direction) is necessary. There is preferably a low recovery ofthe laminate. FIG. 11 depicts strain characteristics in relation tostress of a sample piece cut from a GORE-TEX® insert having a length(seen in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of theinsert fingers) of 20 cm, a width of 5 cm, and comprising a layer ofePTFE (expanded polytetrafluorethylene) and a textile layer of amultifilament polyester knit fabric. The insert material has a weight of100 g/m² and the textile layer thereof has a weight of 70 g/m². Thesample piece was stressed in its length direction.

[0035] As stated before, the shell is composed of an essentiallyinelastic outer material which is capable of absorbing restoring forcesof the laminate caused by the stretching of the insert. It can easily betested whether the outer material of handcovering of the presentinvention had absorbed restoring forces: The finished handcovering isheated to such an extent that the adhesive bonding the insert to theshell liquefies. The shell has absorbed restoring forces if the insertseparates from the shell upon liquefaction of the adhesive. Suchseparation will be detectable in particular in the regions of the fingerroots and the thumb back of the handcovering where the three-dimensionalshape of the handcovering mostly differs from the two-dimensional shapeof a not stretched insert.

[0036] In practice, as seen in FIG. 1, the insert is formed bysuperimposing two laminates 11 and tracing a pattern 10 in the shape ofa hand. The two patterns are then sealed around the periphery 20 asshown in FIG. 2, leaving opening 21 for insertion of a hand. Sealingalong the contour can be carried out by applying adhesive, heat andpressure. The sealed shapes are then cut from the laminate patterns.Suitable adhesives include IPATHERM adhesives from H.B. Fuller, ESTANE,TEXIN, PELLETHANE or MORTHANE adhesives. Representative adhesivesinclude a copolyethylene terephthalate, a copolyamide, or apolyurethane.

[0037] The insert so formed can then be treated with adhesive on its twoouter surfaces as described above, to ready the insert for insertion ina shell. As shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive is depicted as raised dots 30on the surface of insert 31. The insert is then moved in the directionof the arrow into shell 32.

[0038] The adhesive is heat activatable and is activated either bydirect heat, microwave or infra-red.

[0039]FIG. 4 depicts a cutaway view of the finished handcoveringcomprising a shell 40 and an insert 41 which are shown in an “explodedview.” In practice, of course, the insert is adhered to the shell. InFIG. 4, the insert 41 is shown as comprising a functional layer 42, atextile layer 43 and a seam 44 formed by two abutting shell piecesdepicted as 44 in which the joining is achieved by stitching 45. Element46 depicts the adhesive dots that adhere the shell and the insert. Inactual practice, in the end product the outer surface of the insert willabut the inner surface of the shell so that there will be no space tospeak of between the shell and the insert. In other words the raiseddots in FIG. 4 will be flattened in the final product.

[0040]FIG. 5 depicts a shell 50 and an insert 52, insert 52 being inplacement for insertion of insert 52 into shell 50. In this embodiment,adhesive 53 is applied in grid form to the outer surface of insert 52.

[0041] Shell 50 comprises a shell gauntlet 54, a shell thumb 56 andshell fingers 56. Shell 50 has a three-dimensional shape. Insert 52comprises an insert gauntlet 60, an insert thumb 62 and insert fingers64. Before insertion into shell 50, insert 52 has a two-dimensionalshape.

[0042] Insert gauntlet 60 is free of adhesive so that gauntlets 54 and60 will not be bonded by adhesive to each other.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat foractivating the adhesive is applied by the means of three dimensionalheated forms, preferable rigid and most preferable made of metal. Afirst form 66 depicted in FIG. 6 has a thumb part 68 having a thumblikeshape and a second form 70 shown in FIG. 7 has a finger part 71 having ashape like the remaining hand with four fingers but without thumb. Inthe case of a mitten the fingers need not to be formed out. The size offorms 66 and 70 must be in accordance with the glove to be produced. Thesplit of the form into two, the thumb and rest, is necessary to be ableto don a glove shell, which has no or very poor elasticity, on such atight fitting form.

[0044] In the first assembling step insert 52 is put into place in outerglove shell 50 in a manner that all insert fingers 64 are in therespective finger 58 of shell 50. Shell 50 and insert 52 together arethen pulled on the two forms 66 and 70 subsequently, being a thumb form66 and a four finger hand form 70. It is preferred to adhere and fix thethumb area first to anchor the insert 52 and shell 50 during subsequentsteps. Heat is then applied to the rest of the combination to adhereinsert 52 to shell 50. By pulling the undersized but stretchable insert52 onto the form 66, 70, the two dimensional insert 52 is stretched intothe three-dimensional shape of the form 66, 70 and in this shape isadhered to the glove shell 50. Since the glove shell 50 sits tight onthe form 66, 70, the insert 52 is now in the basic shape of the glove 72and fixed therein.

[0045] The forms have a switchable air supply at 75 and 77,respectively. The air is switched on after the adhesive 53 has beenactivated to cool the activated adhesive 53, to force the insert 52firmly against the shell 50, which forms the insert exactly after theglove shell 50 and to remove the glove 72 from the form 66, 70 withoutfriction. By using laminate with a flat stress strain curve, a specialdesigned insert pattern and a pressure of up to 0.3 bar, a deformationof the insert 52 is reachable which allows a substantially foldfreefixation of the insert 52 inside the glove shell 50. The insert 52 keepssustainingly the three-dimensional shape of the glove 72 finally sincerecovery forces, which tend to pull the insert 52 back into its originalshape, are taken over by the glove shell 50.

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, forms 66 and 70 compriseelectrical connectors 78 and 80, respectively, for supplying electricheating power to electric heating elements 82 and 84, arranged on orwithin the respective one of forms 66 and 70.

[0047] By this means a unitary handwear is produced that issubstantially free of folds or bunching of the insert 52 or thefunctional layer.

[0048]FIG. 8 depicts a finished glove 72 with a part of the glove beingcut away to expose interior portions of the finished glove 72, namely apart of insert finger 64, adhesive 53 discontinuously applied to theouter surface of insert 52, and outer shell 50 of glove 72. As can beclearly seen, the finger parts and the hand parts of shell 50 and insert52 are firmly bonded together, in the embodiment shown by means ofdotlike applied adhesive, whereas the shell gauntlet 54 and the insertgauntlet 60 are loosely adjacent to each other.

[0049]FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of a glove finger 73 along sectionline IX-IX in FIG. 8. The shell finger 58 of glove finger 73 consists offour pieces 74 of shell material connected by means of seams 75. Insertfinger 64 of glove finger 73 is composed of two pieces of laminate 11(FIG. 1) comprising functional layer 42 and textile layer 43 and beingsealed around the finger periphery by sealing seams 76 (20 in FIG. 2).By stretching the originally two-dimensional laminate material of insertfinger 64 into the three-dimensional shell finger 58 and bonding theouter surface of insert finger 64 to the inner surface of shell finger58 by the adhesive 53, insert finger 64 keeps the three-dimensionalshape of shell finger 58 so that insert finger 64 remains substantiallyfree of folds.

[0050] What is shown in FIG. 9 and has been explained in the contextwith glove finger 73 applies to all parts of glove 72 where the insert52 has been stretched into and bonded to the three-dimensional shell 50.

[0051]FIG. 10 depicts the layered structure of finished glove 72 bymeans of an magnified portion of the cross section of FIG. 9 encircledat X. As it is shown in FIG. 10, insert 52 comprising functional layer42 and textile layer 43 is bonded to shell 50 by means of adhesive 53.

[0052] By the term waterproof is meant that the material underinvestigation and the welded or sealed area is able to withstand a wateringress pressure of more than 0.05 bar. Preferably, the material canwithstand a water pressure of more than 1 bar. The measurement iscarried out by exposing a 100 cm² sample of the material underinvestigation to a rising water pressure. For this purpose, distilledwater having a temperature of 20±2° C. is used. The rise in the waterpressure is 60±3 cm H₂O/min. The water ingress pressure of the sample isthat pressure at which water passes through the opposite side of thesample. The exact method for carrying out this test is described in the1981 ISO Standard No. 811.

[0053] Waterproof as used herein for the glove insert is meant havingtextile laminates with a water penetration resistance of 0.07 bar ormore and whose seams have a penetration resistance of 0.07 bar or more.The waterproofness of the glove insert can be measured using the “WholeGlove Leak Tester” apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,209(Patchell) assigned to W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., in which air atpressure of between 0.07 bar and 0.35 bar is admitted into the inside ofa glove insert disposed in a water tank.

[0054] The term water vapor permeable as used herein is defined via thewater vapor transmission resistance Ret of the material so designated.The Ret is a specific material property of sheet-like structures orcomposites, which determines the “latent” evaporation heat flux througha given area in consequence of an existing steady-state partial pressuregradient. The Ret is defined in German Standard DIN EN 31 092 ofFebruary 1994, corresponding to International Standard ISO 11 092, andis expressed in m²*Pa/W (square meters Pascal per watt). For measuringRet, a measuring head is employed having a temperature of 35° C. at arelative humidity of air of 40%, with an air speed being adjusted to 1m/s. The water vapor transmission resistance is measured using theHohenstein skin model test, which is described in standard test methodNe. BPI 1.4 of September 1987 of Bekleidungsphysiologisches Institute.V. Hohenstein.

1. Handcovering, with an outer material part (32; 40; 50) and with aninner part (31; 41; 52), wherein: the inner part (31; 41; 52) iscomposed of a stretchable laminate (11) which comprises a waterprooffunctional layer (42) permeable to water vapor and a textile layer (43)and which comprises outer face; the outer material part (32; 40; 50) hasa three-dimensional shape corresponding to a hand and a correspondinglythree-dimensional inner face; the inner part (31; 41; 52) is stretchedinto the three-dimensional inner face of the outer material part (32;40; 50) in such a way that essentially the entire outer face of theinner part (31; 41; 52) rests against the inner face of the outermaterial part (32; 40; 50); essentially the entire outer face of theinner part (31; 41; 52) is bonded essentially to the entire inner faceof the outer material part (32; 40; 50); and the outer material part(32; 40; 50) is composed of an essentially inelastic outer materialwhich is capable of absorbing recovery forces of the laminate (11) whichare caused by the stretching of the inner part (31; 41; 52).
 2. Thehandcovering as claimed in claim 1, with a gauntlet (54, 60) extendingbeyond the wrist in the arm direction.
 3. The handcovering as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the inner part (31; 41; 52) is not bonded to the outermaterial part (32; 40; 50) in the region of the gauntlet (54, 60). 4.The handcovering as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, in the form of afinger glove (72).
 5. The handcovering as claimed in anyone of claims 1to 3, in the form of a mitten.
 6. The handcovering as claimed in anyoneof claims 1 to 5, wherein the functional layer (42) comprises porouspolytetrafluoroethylene.
 7. The handcovering as claimed in anyone ofclaims 1 to 6, wherein the laminate (11) is provided with a textilelayer (43) which is made from knitted fabric comprising of polyethyleneterephthalate, polyamide, viscose, cotton or a mixture thereof.
 8. Thehandcovering as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outermaterial part (32; 40; 50) and the inner part (31; 41; 52) are connectedto one another by means of an adhesive (30; 46; 53).
 9. The handcoveringas claimed in claim 8, comprising an adhesive (30; 46; 53) from theadhesive group consisting of copolyethylene terephthalate, copolyamide,polyolefin and polyurethane.
 10. The handcovering as claimed in claim 8or 9, wherein the adhesive (30; 46; 53) has a melting point in the rangeof 50 to 130° C.
 11. The handcovering as claimed in anyone of claims 1to 10, wherein the outer material part (32; 40; 50) comprises at leastone material selected from the group consisting of leather, wovenfabric, knitted fabric and a fiber nonwoven.
 12. The handcovering asclaimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11, wherein the laminate (11) has astretchability in at least one direction of at least 30%, maintainingthe waterproofness and water vapor permeability.
 13. The handcovering asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the laminate (11) has a stretchability ofat least 40%, maintaining the waterproofness and water vaporpermeability.
 14. The handcovering as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to13, wherein the textile layer (43) is formed by a lining cloth.
 15. Amethod for producing handcovering with an outer material part (32; 40;50) and with an inner part (31; 41; 52), comprising the following methodsteps: production of the outer material part (32; 40; 50) with athree-dimensional shape corresponding to a hand and with acorrespondingly three-dimensional inner face; production of the innerpart (31; 41; 52) with a two-dimensional stretchable laminate (11)comprising a waterproof functional layer (42) permeable to water vaporand a textile layer (43) and which comprises an outer face; stretchingof the inner part (31; 41; 52) into the three-dimensional inner face ofthe outer material part (32; 40; 50) in such a way that essentially theentire outer face of the inner part (31; 41; 52) comes to rest againstthe inner face of the outer material part (32; 40; 50); and bonding ofessentially the entire outer face of the inner part (31; 41; 52) toessentially the entire inner face of the outer material part (32; 40;50); wherein the outer material part (32; 40; 50) is composed of anessentially inelastic outer material which is capable of absorbingrecovery forces of the laminate (11) which are caused by the stretchingof the inner part (31; 41; 52).
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15,wherein the handcovering further comprises a gauntlet (54, 60) extendingbeyond the wrist in the arm direction.
 17. The method as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the inner part (31; 41; 52) is not bonded to the outermaterial part (32; 40; 50) in the region of the gauntlet (54, 60). 18.The method as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 17, wherein a fingerglove is produced.
 19. The method as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to17, wherein a mitten is produced.
 20. The method as claimed in anyone ofclaims 15 to 19, wherein the inner part (31; 41; 52) is produced with alaminate (11) comprising a functional layer (42) comprising porouspolytetrafluoroethylene.
 21. The method as claimed in anyone of claims15 to 20, the inner part (31; 41; 52) of which is produced with alaminate (11) comprising a cloth lining which is made from knittedfabric comprising of polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, viscose,cotton or a mixture thereof.
 22. The method as claimed in one of claims15 to 21, wherein the outer material part (32; 40; 50) and the innerpart (31; 41; 52) are bonded to one another by means of an adheasive(30; 46; 53).
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein theadhesive (30; 46; 53) is selected from the group consisting ofcopolyethylene terephthalate, copolyamide, polyolefin and polyurethane.24. The method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein an adhesive (30;46; 53) with a melting point in the range of 50 to 130° C. is used. 25.The method as claimed in anyone of claims 22 to 24, wherein an adhesivewhich is permeable to water vapor is applied in continuous form.
 26. Themethod as claimed in anyone of claims 22 to 24, wherein the adhesive(30; 46; 53) is applied in discontinuous form.
 27. The method as claimedin claim 26, wherein the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is applied in apowderlike, dotlike, gridlike or weblike manner.
 28. The method asclaimed in anyone of claims 15 to 27, wherein the outer material part(32; 40; 50) comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofleather, woven fabric, knitted fabric or a fiber nonwoven.
 29. Themethod as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 28, wherein the inner part(31; 41; 52) is inserted into the outer material part (32; 40; 50) andboth parts are then subjected to heat treatment.
 30. The method asclaimed in claim 29, wherein the outer material part (32; 40; 50) andthe inner part (31; 41; 52), after the latter has been inserted into theouter material part (32; 40; 50), are drawn with the thumb part (56)over a thumb form (66) and with the finger part (58) over a finger form(70) and the thumb form (66) and finger form (70) respectively areheated.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein compressed air isapplied to the thumb form (66) and finger form (70) in such a way thatthe inner part (31; 41; 52) is pressed against the outer material part(32; 40; 50).
 32. The method as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein firsta heating of the thumb part (56) is carried out and only thereafter is aheating of the finger part (58) carried out.
 33. The method as claimedin anyone of claims 29 to 32, wherein a thermally activatable adhesive(30; 46; 53) is used, and is applied prior to the insertion of the innerpart (31; 41; 52) into the outer material (32; 40; 50) and which isthereafter activated as a result of said heating.
 34. Unitary handwearcomprising i) an outer shell (32; 40; 50) having a three dimensionalshape and ii) an inner waterproof and water vapor permeable insert (30;46; 53) stretched in at least a portion thereof to conform to the threedimensional shape, and means for attaching said insert (30; 46; 53) tosaid outer shell (32; 40; 50) whereby the three dimensional shape ofsaid outer shell (32; 40; 50) is maintained.
 35. The handwear of claim34, whereby said inner insert (30; 46; 53) comprises a waterproof and awater vapor permeable laminate (11).
 36. The handwear of claim 35,whereby the laminate (11) comprises a waterproof and a water vaporpermeable functional layer (42).
 37. The handwear of claim 36, wherebythe functional layer (42) is selected from the group of substancesconsisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins including polyethyleneand polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyketones, polysulfones,polycarbonates, fluoropolymers including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyacrylates, polyurethanes, copolyether esters, copolyetheramides. 38.The handwear of claim 36, whereby the functional layer (42) is porouspolytetrafluoroethylene.
 39. The handwear of claim 34, whereby the innerinsert (30; 46; 53) consists of a two-layer laminate (41), one layer ofwhich is a waterproof and a water vapor permeable functional layer (42).40. The handwear of claim 39, whereby the functional layer (42) isporous polytetrafluoroethylene.
 41. The handwear of claim 34, comprisingan outer shell (32; 40; 50) having an inner surface and an innerwaterproof and water vapor permeable insert (30; 46; 53) having afunctional layer (42) with an outer surface, whereby the outer surfaceof the functional layer (42) is directly attached to the inner surfaceof the outer shell (32; 40; 50).
 42. The handwear of claim 34, wherebymeans for attaching is an adhesive (30; 46; 53) which is applied betweenthe outer shell (32; 40; 50) and the inner insert (30; 46; 53).
 43. Thehandwear of claim 42, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is distributedover the outer surface of the inner insert (30; 46; 53).
 44. Thehandwear of claim 43, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) isdiscontinously distributed over the outer surface of the inner insert(30; 46; 53)
 45. The handwear of claim 42, whereby the adhesive (30; 46;53) is distributed over the outer surface of the inner insert (30; 46;53) in a dot-like manner.
 46. The handwear of claim 42, whereby theadhesive (30; 46; 53) is selected from the group of adhesives consistingof copolyethylene-terephthalate, copolyamide, polyurethane.
 47. Thehandwear of claim 42, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is polyurethane.48. The handwear of claim 34, whereby the outer shell (32; 40; 50) isselected from the group of materials consisting of leather, woventextile, knit textile, nonwoven textile.
 49. The handwear of claim 34,whereby the outer shell (32; 40; 50) is leather.
 50. The handwear ofclaim 34 in the form of a glove.
 51. The handwear of claim 34 in theform of a thin, non-insulated glove.
 52. The handwear of claim 34 in theform of a mitten.
 53. The handwear of claim 34 whereby the inner insert(30; 46; 53) has substancially no bunching.
 54. The handwear of claim 34whereby the inner insert (30; 46; 53) has a stretchability in at leastone direction of at least 30%.
 55. The handwear of claim 34 whereby theinner insert (30; 46; 53) is attached to said outer shell (32; 40; 50)such that recovery forces in said insert (30; 46; 53) are restrained bythe outer shell (32; 40; 50).
 56. Unitary handwear comprising i) anouter shell (32; 40; 50) having a three dimensional shape and ii) aninner two layer insert (30; 46; 53) having a waterproof and water vaporpermeable functional layer (42) and a textile layer (43) attachedthereto, and means for attaching said inner insert (30; 46; 53) to saidouter shell (32; 40; 50) whereby the three dimensional shape of saidouter shell (32; 40; 50) is maintained.
 57. The handwear of claim 56,whereby the inner insert (30; 46; 53) stretched in at least a portionthereof to conform to the three dimensional shape.
 58. The handwear ofclaim 56, whereby the textile layer (43) is a knit made out ofpolyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, viscose, cotton, or a blendthereof.
 59. The handwear of claim 56, whereby the functional layer (42)is selected from the group of substances consisting of polyesters,polyamides, polyolefins including polyethylene and polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride, polyketones, polysulfones, polycarbonates,fluoropolymers including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyacrylates,polyurethanes, copolyether esters, copolyetheramides.
 60. The handwearof claim 56, whereby the functional layer (42) is porouspolytetrafluoroethylene.
 61. The handwear of claim 56, whereby means forattaching are an adhesive (30; 46; 53) which is applied between theouter shell (32; 40; 50) and the inner insert (30; 46; 53).
 62. Thehandwear of claim 61, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is distributedover the outer surface of the inner insert (30; 46; 53).
 63. Thehandwear of claim 61, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) isdiscontinously distributed over the outer surface of the inner insert(30; 46; 53)
 64. The handwear of claim 61, whereby the adhesive (30; 46;53) is distributed over the outer surface of the inner insert (30; 46;53) in a dot-like manner.
 65. The handwear of claim 61, whereby theadhesive (30; 46; 53) is selected from the group of adhesives consistingof copolyethylene-terephthalate, copolyamide, polyurethane.
 66. Thehandwear of claim 61, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is polyurethane.67. The handwear of claim 56, whereby the outer shell (32; 40; 50) isselected from the group of materials consisting of leather, woventextile, knit textile, nonwoven textile.
 68. The handwear of claim 56,whereby the outer shell (32; 40; 50) is leather.
 69. The handwear ofclaim 56 in the form of a glove.
 70. The handwear of claim 56 in theform of a thin, non-insulated glove.
 71. The handwear of claim 56 in theform of a mitten.
 72. The handwear of claim 56, whereby the inner twolayer insert (30; 46; 53) has substantially no bunching.
 73. Thehandwear of claim 56, whereby the inner two layer insert (30; 46; 53)has a stretchability in at least one direction of at least 30%.
 74. Thehandwear of claim 56, whereby the inner two layer insert (30; 46; 53) isadhered to said outer shell (32; 40; 50) that recovery forces in saidinsert (30; 46; 53) are restrained by the outer shell (32; 40; 50). 75.Unitary handwear comprising i) an outer shell (32; 40; 50) and ii) astretched inner insert (30; 46; 53) adhered to said outer shell (32; 40;50) such that recovery forces in said insert (30; 46; 53) are restrainedby said outer shell (32; 40; 50).
 76. The handwear of claim 75, wherebysaid inner insert (30; 46; 53) comprises a waterproof and a water vaporpermeable laminate (11).
 77. The handwear of claim 76 whereby thelaminate (11) comprises a waterproof and a water vapor permeablefunctional layer (42).
 78. The handwear of claim 77, whereby thefunctional layer (42) is selected from the group of substancesconsisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins including polyethyleneand polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyketones, polysulfones,polycarbonates, fluoropolymers including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyacrylates, polyurethanes, copolyether esters, copolyetheramides. 79.The handwear of claim 77, whereby the functional layer (42) is porouspolytetrafluoroethylene.
 80. The handwear of claim 75, whereby the innerinsert (30; 46; 53) consists of a two-layer laminate (41), one layer ofwhich is a waterproof and a water vapor permeable functional layer (42).81. The handwear of claim 80, whereby the functional layer (42) isporous polytetrafluoroethylene.
 82. The handwear of claim 75 and 77,comprising an outer shell (32; 40; 50) having an inner surface and aninner insert (30; 46; 53) having a waterproof and water vapor permeablefunctional layer (42) with an outer surface, whereby the outer surfaceof the functional layer (42) is directly adhered to the inner surface ofthe outer shell (32; 40; 50).
 83. The handwear of claim 75, whereby anadhesive (30; 46; 53) is applied between the outer shell (32; 40; 50)and the inner insert (30; 46; 53).
 84. The handwear of claim 83, wherebythe adhesive (30; 46; 53) is distributed over the outer surface of theinner insert (30; 46; 53).
 85. The handwear of claim 83, whereby theadhesive (30; 46; 53) is discontinously distributed over the outersurface of the inner insert (30; 46; 53)
 86. The handwear of claim 83,whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is distributed over the outer surfaceof the inner insert (30; 46; 53) in a dot-like manner.
 87. The handwearof claim 83, whereby the adhesive (30; 46; 53) is selected from thegroup of adhesives consisting of copolyethylene-terephthalate,copolyamide, polyurethane.
 88. The handwear of claim 83, whereby theadhesive (30; 46; 53) is polyurethane.
 89. The handwear of claim 75,whereby the outer shell (32; 40; 50) is selected from the group ofmaterials consisting of leather, woven textile, knit textile, nonwoventextile.
 90. The handwear of claim 75, whereby the outer shell (32; 40;50) is leather.
 91. The handwear of claim 75 in the form of a glove. 92.The handwear of claim 75 in the form of a thin, non-insulated glove. 93.The handwear of claim 75 in the form of a mitten.
 94. The handwear ofclaim 75, whereby the inner insert (30; 46; 53) has substantially nobunching.
 95. The handwear of claim 75, whereby the inner insert (30;46; 53) has a stretchability in at least one direction of at least 30%.96. Process of manufacturing an unitary handwear comprising thefollowing steps: i) forming an inner waterproof and water vaporpermeable insert (30; 46; 53) with an adhesive (30; 46; 53) on an outersurface of said inner insert (30; 46; 53), ii) forming an outer shell(32; 40; 50) with a three dimensional shape iii) placing said innerinsert (30; 46; 53) into an inside of said outer shell (32; 40; 50) iv)heating said inner insert (30; 46; 53) to attached to said outer shell(32; 40; 50)
 97. Process of claim 96, whereby the heating step (iv) iscarried by means of at least one heated former.
 98. Process of claim 97,whereby the heating step (iv) is carried by means of a thumb heatingformer and a four finger hand heating former.
 99. Process of claim 96,whereby after the heating step (iv) the handwear is cooled by air. 100.Process of claim 96, whereby the placing step (iii) is carried bystretching and attaching said inner insert (30; 46; 53) to said outershell (32; 40; 50).
 101. Manufacturing apparatus for the manufacture ofan unitary handwear, the handwear comprising an outer shell (32; 40; 50)having a three dimensional shape and an inner insert (30; 46; 53),whereby the manufacturing apparatus comprises at least one threedimensional heated former (66, 70).
 102. Manufacturing apparatus ofclaim 101, whereby the former is a thumb form (66) and a four fingerhand form (70).
 103. Manufacturing apparatus of claim 101, whereby theformer (66, 70) is made of metal.
 104. Manufacturing apparatus of claim101, whereby the former (66, 70) has a plurality of distributionopenings which are supplying switchable air.